Jetblast
Well-Known Member
As I move along on my 1965 Dodge Coronet build and encounter retail vendors as well as people who sell their own stock, it boggles my mind where we are.
In that I refer to the fact that we buy reproduction parts that are priced like NOS that nine times out of ten is inferior to pieces made in the 60's out of material that is inferior to steel from the Titanic or we go to swap meets and buy, or try to buy parts that need total restoration for prices that require a mortgage. WHY?
I think one of the biggest reasons is that for a long time there wasn't much aftermarket support for Mopar products and when the vendors got on the bandwagon, it was as if they were making the huge sacrifice to make Mopar parts and we should be both grateful and willing to pay twice or three times what a Ford or Chevy part would be.
The other part of the problem is that swap meet sponsors usually parts vendors, set up the schedule so the used parts dealers were allowed to buy up all of the parts they wanted from the "garage cleaners" and by the time the public was let in, if it is a part you want the Tony's and Joe's and all the other big name used part sellers are happy to make it available at 100% mark up. Good business? Definitely for someone but not us.
If we are to believe all of the rhetoric, every Mopar part from intake bolts to tail light housings are rare and expensive. They are do however continue to show up, usually from a retail used parts vendor.
Case in point. I called a guy about a Hurst shifter stick for a 65 B body console. He was happy to let me know that he had two available, both were in great condition, no pitting in the logo portion but the rest of it was covered with rust and would have to be rechromed but he would be willing to take $250. for it. I guess we are supposed to be to stupid to know that Hurst still makes a replacement, call it reproduction if you like, that can be purchased every day for $160. Now understand that I know there are people who are building show cars that would pay $500. for an oil filter made in 1970 but do most of us care if our cars have parts that would have been replaced over time from wear or damage.
Can we change anything ? I think we can try.
First of all I think we should stop spending our money with vendors who treat us like dirt. If you are afraid that they will walk away from a multi billion dollar market, you don't know business. Perhaps it would be good if some of them went under. You have a choice about where you spend your money, spend it with people who appreciate your business.
Second, we need to stop providing used parts vendors with parts to hoard and dole out. With the internet, these forums Craigslist, eBay, etc., there is no reason to make them rich while you drive your car around without a bellhousing dust cover because you don't have $120. laying around (just a situation I just heard the last couple of days). Remember that everytime you sell your parts to vendors you just marked it up 50-100%. That decent, clean it up and run it, $400. A833 becomes a rare $800. transmission (just another example). Anybody look at Hurst shifters lately or clutch parts. Y would think that they only made 50 manual cars a year. While not every car was a four speed, three on the tree and on the floor was very popular in the sixties and many of the parts were the same. It appears they were all made of Gold. Need I talk about air cleaners, obviously made of the popular unattainable.
Long post I know but I am beyond frustrated. The very people who claim to be supporters of Mopar motoring are the ones driving the brand back in to the dirt. Stop buying and selling to them and see how supportive they are. I don't begrudge anyone from making a profit but should they make a days profit on every sell, I don't think so. DO YOU?
In that I refer to the fact that we buy reproduction parts that are priced like NOS that nine times out of ten is inferior to pieces made in the 60's out of material that is inferior to steel from the Titanic or we go to swap meets and buy, or try to buy parts that need total restoration for prices that require a mortgage. WHY?
I think one of the biggest reasons is that for a long time there wasn't much aftermarket support for Mopar products and when the vendors got on the bandwagon, it was as if they were making the huge sacrifice to make Mopar parts and we should be both grateful and willing to pay twice or three times what a Ford or Chevy part would be.
The other part of the problem is that swap meet sponsors usually parts vendors, set up the schedule so the used parts dealers were allowed to buy up all of the parts they wanted from the "garage cleaners" and by the time the public was let in, if it is a part you want the Tony's and Joe's and all the other big name used part sellers are happy to make it available at 100% mark up. Good business? Definitely for someone but not us.
If we are to believe all of the rhetoric, every Mopar part from intake bolts to tail light housings are rare and expensive. They are do however continue to show up, usually from a retail used parts vendor.
Case in point. I called a guy about a Hurst shifter stick for a 65 B body console. He was happy to let me know that he had two available, both were in great condition, no pitting in the logo portion but the rest of it was covered with rust and would have to be rechromed but he would be willing to take $250. for it. I guess we are supposed to be to stupid to know that Hurst still makes a replacement, call it reproduction if you like, that can be purchased every day for $160. Now understand that I know there are people who are building show cars that would pay $500. for an oil filter made in 1970 but do most of us care if our cars have parts that would have been replaced over time from wear or damage.
Can we change anything ? I think we can try.
First of all I think we should stop spending our money with vendors who treat us like dirt. If you are afraid that they will walk away from a multi billion dollar market, you don't know business. Perhaps it would be good if some of them went under. You have a choice about where you spend your money, spend it with people who appreciate your business.
Second, we need to stop providing used parts vendors with parts to hoard and dole out. With the internet, these forums Craigslist, eBay, etc., there is no reason to make them rich while you drive your car around without a bellhousing dust cover because you don't have $120. laying around (just a situation I just heard the last couple of days). Remember that everytime you sell your parts to vendors you just marked it up 50-100%. That decent, clean it up and run it, $400. A833 becomes a rare $800. transmission (just another example). Anybody look at Hurst shifters lately or clutch parts. Y would think that they only made 50 manual cars a year. While not every car was a four speed, three on the tree and on the floor was very popular in the sixties and many of the parts were the same. It appears they were all made of Gold. Need I talk about air cleaners, obviously made of the popular unattainable.
Long post I know but I am beyond frustrated. The very people who claim to be supporters of Mopar motoring are the ones driving the brand back in to the dirt. Stop buying and selling to them and see how supportive they are. I don't begrudge anyone from making a profit but should they make a days profit on every sell, I don't think so. DO YOU?
